Chrysanthemum plant named Target

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Target particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; yellow ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 5.5 cm at maturity; medium plant height with spreading and prolific branching pattern; average natural season flower date of August 26 in Salinas, Calif. and September 22 in Hightstown, N.J; uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs; and durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., and referred to by the cultivar name Target.

Target, identified as 82M18012, was originated from a cross made by Grace H. Mack in a controlled breeding program in New Canaan, Conn., in 1981.

The parents of Target were both unnamed seedlings.

Target was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in September of 1982, in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Target was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in December of 1982 in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians working under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for Target are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Target has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in a controlled open area in Salinas, Calif. and in Hightstown, N.J. Rooted cuttings were established in soil and maintained outdoors under the natural temperature and daylength prevailing during July through September. Single pinching was practiced with all branches and buds retained.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Target, which, in combination, distinguish this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Decorative capitulum type.

3. Yellow ray floret color.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 5.5 cm at maturity.

5. Medium plant height.

6. Spreading and prolific branching pattern.

7. Average natural season flower date of August 26 in Salinas, Calif., and September 22 in Hightstown, N.J.

8. Uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs.

9. Durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence and leaf characteristics of Target, with the colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Target grown as a pinched spray pot mum. Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph of three views of the inflorescence of Target. Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the upper and under sides of the leaves of Target at three stages of development (mature, intermediate and immature).

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventors, the most similar in comparison to Target is Goldmine, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,661. Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain characteristics of Target to the same characteristics of Goldmine.

Similar traits are ray floret color, capitulum type, average natural season flower date, and controlled flowering response. The capitulum form of Target is more flat, with a larger diameter across face of capitulum than Goldmine. Target has more vigor and a more uniform response than Goldmine.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined on plant material grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Salinas, Calif. on May 29, 1987.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Target.

Commercial.--Decorative spray pot mum and garden mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Diameter across face.--Up to 5.5 cm at maturity.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Yellow.

Color (upper surface).--12A.

Color (under surface).--12B.

Shape.--Oblong, with outer ray florets reflexing.

C. Corolla of disc florets: Not present.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Not present.

Gynoecium.--Present on ray florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Heights.--Medium.

Branching pattern.--Spreading and prolific.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Deeply lobed and slightly serrated.

                  CHART A                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Target and Goldmine                                              ______________________________________                                                  RAY                                                                            FLORET    CAPITULUM     BRANCHING                                     CULTIVAR COLOR     FORM & TYPE   PATTERN                                       ______________________________________                                         Target   Yellow    Flat          Spreading                                                        Decorative    and prolific                                  Goldmine Yellow    Round         Spreading                                                        Pompom                                                                         Decorative                                                  ______________________________________                                                  DIAMETER                                                                       ACROSS                                                                         FACE OF      PLANT     CONTROLLED                                     CULTIVAR CAPITULUM    HEIGHT    RESPONSE                                       ______________________________________                                         Target   Up to 5.5 cm Medium    7 weeks                                        Goldmine Up to 4.5 cm Short     7 weeks                                        ______________________________________                                                  AVERAGE NATURAL SEASON                                                         FLOWER DATE                                                           CULTIVAR   SALINAS       HIGHTSTOWN                                            ______________________________________                                         Target     Aug. 26       Sept. 22                                              Goldmine   Aug. 27       Sept. 20                                              ______________________________________                                         COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN UNDER                                         CONTROLLED OUTSIDE CONDITIONS                                                  IN SALINAS, CALIFORNIA AND IN HIGHTSTOWN,                                      NEW JERSEY                                                                     ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Target, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized as to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; yellow ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 5.5 cm at maturity; medium plant height with spreading and prolific branching pattern; average natural season flower date of August 26 in Salinas, Calif. and September 22 in Hightstown, N.J; uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs; and durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs. 